Safe in NY...

We have arrived! We got in last night and met Mom and Gary at the airport - they had just flown in from Florida.

Today Ellie turned nine years old! Wow - I always took for granted that my children reached the next birthday. Now it feels like a gift... she made it to nine.

And a happy little girl she is. Papa and Grandma took us to the American Girl Place for brunch and shopping, of course. (We missed you Gerry!) We met a nice man on the airplane, and he called ahead to let the store know that we were coming. (Thank you Dave!) Ellie got the royal treatment! A personal shopper, Maria, helped Ellie with her selections, gave her some unexpected gifts, and made the whole experience unforgettable. I'm sorry that I don't have pictures. None of us had cameras, so I bought a disposable one at the store. Now I have to actually develop the pictures... what is that!? I have blocked that whole process out completely - I so love digital. Oh well...

Tests begin on Monday and continue through Thursday. It's a pretty easy schedule. They are the routine tests that Ellie gets every so often to determine the progress (hopefully lack-of-progress) of the cancer. All tests are spread out over four days, so no one day will be too full. Then Ellie can rest on Friday and we fly that evening. I will be sure to let you all know the resutls of the tests. Thank you so much for praying!